Back to Work

After all that adventuring in Margate, Bath, and a wonderful, restful Sunday spent with K, Buster & the canine residents of Shoreditch Park...

Photo credit-  K, Shoreditch Park

It is Monday again, and back to work we all go.

Squished in a taxi with today's loot.

I need utensils- I have been eating with a plastic fork that I keep re-washing and using.  For some reason food is not as palatable eaten this way.  Bruno needs a new jumper, a bowl, and snacks.  The flat needs attention, I have allowed it to sit for a while in neglect.

Today...

Today I break all previous records for hauling and foraging.  See that beaten-up piece of wood laid on the floor?  That is un perqueno armario mexicano- a small Mexican cupboard that I feel is just what the dining space needs.  Bruno is trying to be helpful.

  I move all the shopping bags into the flat first.  Next I bring Bruno inside.  Then, I manage to lift the armario onto its feet (activate core & pile).  Geez.  It is rather heavy.  If I drag it in, it is going to so scratch them floors.

(Me and my bright ideas!!!)

A bright idea!

Found myself some vintage cutlery.  Fantastic- no need to worry about polishing them.  The more deteriorated they look, the more beautiful.  If you come over for dinner, and don't like this?  Tough.  You'll have to eat with your hands.

Also found a wonderful vintage lamp with glass pieces so that my husband can read, while sitting on the chair, I found for him in Angel.

Enough procrastinating.  Off I go to CARRY and PLACE the armario mexicano...

TA DA! 

Very, very pleased and very proud of myself.  I texted my husband immediately.  

Me and my bright ideas!

There, my Summer 2013 Project is taking good shape.  It really is all about relationships in space and time.  Now I need a strong drink and to go rest my poor back and legs :)

Bye for now.

The Reading Rooms

My decision to visit Margate hinged on if The Reading Rooms would flex their no-dog (no infants, no children) policy for us.  Louise and Liam run this sweet B & B right off Old Town.  While I love to go a-wandering, I really cannot be bothered to schlep Bruno, Bruno's bag and my bag to a new place, if there isn't somewhere restful (ie aesthetically pleasing) for us to sleep.

A-Schelpping...

Louise asked me a few things about Bruno, then said the magical words- "OK, he can come!"

So we came.  And Bruno promptly makes himself at home.

The Reading Rooms is lovely, and reminds me of home.  We are on the second floor.  The room is spacious, the bathroom is large and "modern".  An extravagant breakfast is served in your room every morning.  

Gosh.  Extravagance!

If like me, you love crumbling textures, unvarnished, uneven stripped old floors, unfinished paint and period details, then The Reading Rooms is worth a visit, if ever you find yourself in the South East.

Psst- look at the period detailing on the radiators... WOW!

Love that they also stripped back the stairs (center) and painted the sides instead to create an illusion of a "carpet"- clever design trick. 

Can't help re-imagining the walls with faded, deteriorating wallpaper in a different hue- but that's just me obsessing about design.  If you're unfamiliar with period homes, please note that staying in a Grade II-listed building means that you can hear just about everything that goes on within and outside.  + you can feel the movement of people in the house, and they can feel you right back.

The Reading Rooms, 31 Hawley Square http://www.thereadingrooms.co.uk